MTN Adds Glamour to Nwonyo Fishing Festival

15th December, 2010 - 3:04 PM

MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its leading position in corporate sponsorship of cultural events by supporting the Nwonyo Fishing festival, which ended on Saturday, April 24 in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State. According to Shehu Abubakar, MTN Nigeria Regional Manager, North East, MTN's intervention was as a result of the Ibi people's passion for the fishing festival. MTN Nigeria is out to promote the culture of the people by providing the required support for the fishing festival, just like we have done to many other cultural festivals across the country, he said. Organised since 1914, the Nwonyo festival has, over the years, signified the cultural identity of the people of Ibi, majority of whom are Jukun. The festival has also placed Taraba State in the spotlight of tourism nationally and internationally.

The festival has recorded remarkable improvements in recent years in terms of organisation and the catches made during the fishing competition. For instance, the festival recorded the highest fish catch in its history during the 2009 edition, which was 230kg as against 168kg in 2008; 163kg in 2007 and 178kg in 2006. This year, Bulus Joshua recorded the biggest catch of 218kg, a slight drop from last year's record breaking catch by Uba Baba, while the second and third biggest catches were 197kg by Dantata Dariasabe and 195kg by Jamilu Baba. The star prize of a brand new Kia Rio was presented to the winner by Dame Ebele Patience Jonathan, wife of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, who was the special guest of honour. Impressed by the level of organisation, Mrs Jonathan called for improvements in order to attract more foreign tourists. Also, the Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, commended MTN, the festival organisers and participants for their efforts in the success of this year's festival. He promised a remarkable improvement in subsequent editions. Other dignitaries at the event included the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd.) and Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe. Other exciting activities during the festival included traditional dances from different ethnic groups across the state, boat regatta, swimming competition, canoe racing, horse racing as well as a raffle draw.